Lock for switches or the like.



P. DUNNING. LOCK EUR SWITCHES 0R APPLICATION F|LED JAN. 5. l9l7.

l ,299,938 Patented Jam1 14, 1919.

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PARKER DUNNING, 0F SCHENECTADY, NEW YORK, ASSIGNOR TO GENERAL ELECTRIC COMPANY, A CORPCRATION 0F NEW YORK.

LOCK FOR SWITCHES OR'TI-IE LIKE.

Specification of LettersV Patent. Patgnted Jam. 14:, 1919.

Application led January 5, 1917.. Serial No. 140,825.

To all whom t may concern:

Be it known that I, PARKER DUNNING, a citizen of the United States, residing at Schenectady, in the county of Schenectady, State of New York, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Locks for Switches or the like, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to means for locking switches against operation under certain conditions and provides improved means whereby the switch may be easily and securely locked in a certain position so that it cannot be tampered with.

My invention relates more specifically to means for locking a switch handle in a definite position as,.for instance, in an inoperative position, and is particularly applicable to a switch having an operating handle which is attached to and rotates a. switchr actuating shaft and which is ordinarily removable from the shaft. In the case of a switch such, for instance, as a transformer switch for starting alternating current motors which is commonly known as a starting compensator, the operating handle is removably secured to the actuating shaft and normally-'assumes an inoperative position. The handle is removably secured to the shaft for convenience in assembling the compensator and for disassembling in order to make repairs. It is frequently necessary to prevent the operation of this switch by unauthorized persons and my invention as ap- 35 plied to a switch of this character prevents the operation of the switch mechanism either by means of the switch handle or by removing the handle and operating the switch shaft by other means as, for instance, a wrench.

In carrying out my invention I provide means whereby the switch handle is not only locked in its inoperative position but it is also locked to the shaft. I accomplish this by a very simple arrangement involving the use of only a single lock and key. My arrangement also has the advantage that under all conditions the lock is not removed from its place and there is, therefore, no necessity for carrying it around and no danger of its being lost.

In carrying my invention into effect, in one form I provide a removable pin which is reversible so that in one position it operates to prevent the movement of the switch handle and in the other position permits the movement of the handle, but in both positions the pin is locked in handle is locked to the shaft.

I have shown my invention applied to'a transformerstarting swi-tch or compensator of the type shown and described in my preplace and l the vious Patent No. 970,47 8, dated September 20, 1910, to which reference may be made to the details of the switch mechanism. It is obvious, however, that my invention is applicable to other types of devices. i

Referring to the drawings showing an embodiment of my invention in a starting compensator for alternating current motors,

.Figure 1 is a front elevation of the compensator showing the switch handle locked in the neutral or-olf position, and F ig. 2 is a detail side view of the switch `handle and a part of the compensator with certain of the parts broken awayrand shown in section for the sake of clearness. Y

Referring to the figures, the starting compensator has a cover 1 which 'incloses' the transformer coils -of the compensator and the bottom section 2 incloses the switch' contacts which are provided for starting the alternating current motor with a reduced voltage and for connecting vthe motor directly to the source of supply for full speed running after the vmotorv has come up to the full starting speed. |'Ihe switch handle 3, when not locked Vin the neutral position as shown, is adapted to be moved both ways from the neutral position shown in` the drawings to circuit 'closing positions, the arrangement being such that by moving the switch handle 3 to the right the motor will be connected to the source of supply with l a reduced voltage and the motor accelerated, after whichl moving the handle quickly to the left will connect the motor directly to the'source of supply with full .voltage for Afull speed running. The handle 3 is removably attached to the shaft 4 to which the movable contact members ofthe switch are connected by meansV ofthe'bolt 4. which is screwed into the lend of the shaft; handle is shown as locked in the off position by means of a movable member, the re- Vmovablel pin 5, carried by theswitch handle,

The u the arrangement being such that one end of this pin is adapted to make locking. engagement with a stationary part of the structure, in this case the compensator case, to prevent movement of the switch from the off position. A hinged hasp-like securing device 6 is provided for this removable pin 5 and this securing device has an aperture through which the end of the pin which is not in engagement with the compensator case is adapted to pass. This securing device 6 engages a shoulder on the pin 5 to prevent unauthorized removal of the pin when the handle is in the looked position or when the handle is free to be moved to the operative positions, as will be hereinafter more fully described. The securing device 6 is preferably in the form of a hasp and is hinged at one end to the switch handle. An aperture in the other end is provided for interlocking with bolt 4', in the end ofthe shaft 4; to secure the securing device 6 in position on the switch shaft, thereby preventing unauthorized removal of the pin 5 from the switch handle or removal of the switch handle from the switch shaft.

The pin 5 has two end portions of reduced diameter, the end portion 8 being longe-r than the end portion 9. The end portion 8 is sufficiently long to make locking engagement with a hole in the compensator case to lock the switch handle in the off position. The end portion 9 is of such a length that when the pin is reversed in its position in the switch handle from that shown in the drawings, the switch handle can b'e 4moved from the olf position to the circuit closing positions, the end portion 9 operating to make engagement with 'the stop lugs 10 and11 and thereby `arrest the motion of the switch handle at the proper operative positions. There are abrupt shoulders between the main portion of the pin v5 and the end portions, the arrangement being such that when the pin is inserted in the opening of the switch handle, the `securing device 6 dropped into position and the lock 7 Ysecured to the switch shaft, the end 8 or 9 of this pin, depending upon the one being used, will project the properfdistalnce from the switch handle and be securely held in this position to perform the functions for which this locking arrangement is provided.

The 'operation of my invention is as follows: Y l

As before stated, the switch handle 3 is shown in the drawings as being locked in the off position. To unlock this handle and .thereby render it possible to move the switch to the circuit closing positions, the lock 7 is unlocked and withdrawn from the bolt 4 inthe end of switch shaft 4. The securing device 6 may new be lifted out of locking engagement with shaft and the bolt 4" and raised so that the pin 5 may be withdrawn and reversed in position in the switch handle so that the end 9 will be operative to arrest the handle at the circuit closing positions. The securing device 6 is then dropped into place and the laperture in the end of this device makes locking engagement with the bolt 41 and the shaft as shown in 'the drawings. The lock 7 is then applied to the switch shaft and the pin 5 cannot be withdrawn from its position in the switch handle except by an authorized person having` a key to t-he lock 7. The switch handle 3 is also locked in its position 0n the switch since the handle cannot be removed until the lock 7 is withdrawn from the end of the. shaft. The pivoted latch 12 is vpro-- vided for preventing the operator from going directly to the full running position, the position to the left, and compels him to throw the switch arm to the starting position, the position to the right. When the operator throws the switch handle to the right to start the motor the end 9v of Vthe pin 5 will make engagement with the stop lug 10 and thereby arrest the further rotation of the switch arm in this direction and the movable contact members of the switch (not shown) will make contact with a set of stationary contacts (not shown) to connect the motor to the source of supply with a reduced voltage in a well known manner. After the motor has come up to full starting speed, it may be connected directly to the source of supply at full voltage and thereby accelerate the motor to the full running speed by moving the switch handle quickly to the left, thereby throwing 'the latch 12 upward and rendering it ineffective to arrest the movement of the switch arm at the off position and permit it yto be moved until the end 9 ofy the pin 5 makes engagement with the stop lug 11 at the full voltage normal running position of the switch.

`With the switch arm to the left, the full running position, if it is desired to stop the motor and lock the switch arm in the off position and thereby prevent operation of the switch 'except by an authorized person, the switch arm is thrown to the o position, the lock 7 unlocked and ref moved from the switch shaft 4C, the securing device 6 lifted, the pin 5 withdrawn from the openingin the switch handle and then reversed, and reinserted in therswitch handle so y"that the end 8 makes a locking engagement with the compensator case. The securing device 6 is then dropped into place, covering the pin 5 and making locking engagement with the bolt 4 in the end of the switch shaft it so that when the lock 7 is applied the securing device cannot be lifted to remove the pin 5 from its position in the switch handle and the yswitch handle cannot be removed until the lock '.7 is withdrawn. As before stated, the arrangement of the parts when the switch is locked in the olf position is that shown in the drawings. v

While I have described ya specific embodiment of my invention it should be understood that I do not limit by invention thereto since various modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit of my invention, rthe scope of which is set forth in the claims which are hereto annexed.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The combination with a switch or the like and a handle foroperating the same, of means for locking the handle in Va predetermined position comprising a movable member which in one position prevents movement of the handle and in the other position permits such movement, and means including a lock whereby the member is secured in each position and the handle is secured against removal in both positions.

The combination with a switch or the like and a handle for operating the same, of means for locking the handle in a predetermined position comprising a movable member carried by the handle which in one position prevents movement of the handle and in the other position permits such movement, a lock and means whereby in each position of the member the lock secures the member in position and also secures the handle against removal.

3. The combination with a switch or the like having a shaft and a movable handle attached thereto for operating the same, of means for locking the handle in a predetermined position and securing the handle against removal from the switch shaft comprising a movable member which in one position prevents movement of the handle and in the other position permits such movement and means including a lock for securing the member in each position and for securing the handle to the switch shaft in both positions.

4. The combination with a switch or the like and a handle for operating the same, of means for locking the handle in a predetermined position comprising a movable member which in one position prevents movement of the handle and in the other position permits such movement, a securing device and a lock for securing the said device in position to preventunauthorized movement of the said member from either position and to secure the handle against removal in both positions.

5. The combination with a switch or the like and a handle for operating the same, of means for locking the handle in al redetermined position comprising a mova le member carried by the handle which in one position prevents movement of the handle and in the other position permits such movement, a securing device hinged to the handle and a lock for securing the free end of said device in position to prevent unauthorized movement of the said member from either of its positions and for securing the handle against removal in both positions.

6. The combination with a switch or the like having a shaft and a handle attached to the shaft for operating the same, of means for locking the handle in a predetermined position comprising a movable member carried by the handle which in one position prevents movement of the handle and in the other position permits such movement, asecuring device for the said member having one end hinged to the handle'and an aperture in the free endV adapted to interlock with the switch shaft, and a lock for securing the free end of said device in position to prevent unauthorized movement of the said member from either of its positions.

7. The combination with a switch or the like and a movable handle for operating. the same, of means for locking the switch in a predetermined position comprising a pin carried by said handle and removable therefrom to -reinsert in a reversed position, said pin being movable into locking engagement with a stationary part of the switch structure, a securing device for the pin, and a lock for securing the said device in position to prevent unauthorized removal ofthe pin in either position.

8. The combination with a switch or the like and a movable handle for operating the same, of means for locking the switch in a predetermined position comprising a removable pin carried by the said handle and adapted to be moved into locking engagement with a stationary part of the switch structureasecuring device for the pin having one end hinged to the handle, and a lock forsecuring the free end of the said device to the handle to prevent unauthorized removal of the pin from the locking relation.

9. The combination with a switch or the like and a movable handle for operating the same, of means for locking the switch in a predetermined position comprising a removable pinadapted to be inserted through an opening in the switch handle and moved into locking engagement with a stationary part of the switch structure, a securing device for the pin having one end hinged to the handle, and a lock for securing the free end of the said device to the handleto prevent unauthorized removal of the pin from the locking relation.

10. The combination with a switch or the like having a shaft and a movable handle attached thereto for operating the same, of means for locking the switch in a predetermined position comprising a removable pin carried by the said handle and adapted to be moved into locking engagement with a stationary part of the switch structure, a securing device for the pin having one end secured to the said handle and the other end adapted to engage the switch shaft, anda lock for securing the said device in position on the switch shaft to prevent unauthorized removal of the pin from the locking relation and removal Vof the handle from the switch shaft.

1l. The combination with a switch or the like having a shaft and a removable handle attached thereto for operating the saine, of

means for locking the switch in a predetermined position comprising a removable pin carried by the said handle and adapted to be moved into locking engagement with a stationary part of the switch structure, a securing device for the pin having one end secured to the said handle and an aperture in the other end adapted to interlock with the switch shaft, and a lock for securing the securing device in position on the switch shaft to prevent unauthorized removal of the pin from the locking relation and removal of the handle from the switch shaft.

l2. The combination with a starting compensator for an electric motor having a Copies ai this patent may oe obtained for ve cents each, oy addressing the switch shaft and a handle secured to the shaft for operating the switch both ways from a neutral position to circuit closing positions, of means for locking the handle in the neutral position or arresting its movement -at a circuit closing position as desired, comprising a removable double-ended pin carried by the said handle, one end of the said pin adapted to be moved into locking engagement with a stationary part of the compensator to lock the handle in the neutral position, the other end of said pin adapted to engage a stationary part of the conipensator lto arrest the movement of said handle at said circuit closing positions, only one of the ends of said pin being operative at a time, a securing-device for the pin having one end secured to the said handle and an aperture in the other end adapted to in terlock with the switch shaft, and a lock for securing the said device in position on the switch shaft to prevent unauthorized removal of the pin from the switch handle and to prevent removal of the handle from the switch shaft.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 4th day of January 1917,

PARKER DUNNING.

Commissioner of IE'atents` Washington, D. G. 

